Love Comes in All Sizes, More Pups in High Places, World’s Biggest Shedders, and More!
Bucket (left) and Colton pal around the yard. photo: Little Buckets Farm Sanctuary
Five years ago, Susan Klingenberg rescued a small calf named Bucket from a Maryland livestock auction and brought him home, where he immediately commandeered the comfy dog bed belonging to Colton, her playful St. Bernard mix.
Rather than taking offense at the hooved interloper, Colton was soon romping and snuggling with his new best bud who, at the time, was about the same size as a full-grown dog. “It was so cute,” says Klingenberg. “Like two peas in a pod.”
Fast forward five years and Bucket is now a whopping 1,200 pounds of full-grown bovine. But his friendship with Colton hasn’t changed. Today, Bucket just kneels down so the pair can continue playing, nuzzling, and grooming together. “They truly love each other,” says Klingenberg. “It really has been a beautiful friendship.”
After all, what’s a ton or so difference between pals?
Source: people.com
Dogs in High Places: Former Stray is Brazil’s New First Pup
The news from Brazil has been a mess lately, but here’s one bright spot. Newly elected president Luiz Lula da Silva brought along a special guest to his inauguration last month - his dog, Resistência.
A mixed breed and former stray, Resistência was rescued from the streets of Curitiba by Lula’s wife Janja. Lula had been incarcerated in Curitiba under the previous right-wing regime, and Janja, then Lula’s girlfriend, met the pup outside the prison where Lula was being held. After the friendly street dog became ill and required hospitalization, Janja decided to adopt her, and she’s now part of Brazil’s first family.
Not many stray animals in Brazil or elsewhere will find the happy ending Resistência did. But for dog lovers everywhere, it was a proud moment when the former street pup strode up the ramp to take her place amid the inaugural pomp and ceremony.
Parabéns, Resistência!
Source: dog time.com
Some dog breeds happily leave piles of hair behind wherever they go. photo: Scotsman.com
Who’s a Hairy Boy? The World’s Biggest Shedders, Ranked
Here’s news you can use from across the pond. The UK Kennel Club recently ranked the top 10 shedders by breed - and its findings won’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s ever shared a couch with these furry friends.
Holding down the top spot for constant year-round shedding: the lovable Labrador Retriever, whose fur famously weaves itself into any fabric, making it harder to brush off. The other breeds most likely to share hair were, in descending order, Great Pyrenees, Shiba Inus, German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Alaskan Malamutes, Australian Shepherds, Newfoundlands, Border Collies, and Siberian Huskies.
Of course, all these dogs were originally bred to work outdoors, often in harsh conditions, so a thick coat was a must. Even the small Shiba Inu started out as a hunting dog in Japan’s Chūbu region, where the average daily temperature is just 20 degrees.
So the next time you’re picking fur off your favorite sweater, just remember it’s there for a reason. Keeping you pristine was never part of the job description.
Source: scotsman.com
RedRover and DomesticShelters.org have formed a data-sharing partnership to help domestic violence survivors find shelters and programs that can accommodate pets throughout the U.S. and Canada. photo: RedRover.com
Nowhere to Run: Finding a Pet-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelter
Too often victims of domestic violence worry about what will become of their pets if they leave an abuser, adding yet another barrier to escape. Now RedRover and DomesticShelters.org have formed a data-sharing partnership to help domestic violence survivors find shelters and programs that can accommodate pets throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The new partnership is intended to serve as a comprehensive resource for victims, survivors, and advocates, while also raising awareness about the need for pet-friendly domestic violence shelters. Currently just over 17% of domestic violence shelters allow pets.
“Pets are family. Partnering with DomesticShelters.org means survivors and advocates have a ‘one-stop shop’ to find a safe haven in their region,” says RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth.
Through data sharing, the organizations have now amassed definitive pet sheltering information from 2,554 of the 2,841 domestic violence shelters and programs in the U.S. and Canada. To easily find which shelters offer pet services, users can simply look for the paw icon next to the shelter name at DomesticShelters.org.
It’s hard enough to make the break from an abuser without worrying about what will happen to your beloved animal. At least that part of getting out of a bad situation just got a little easier.
Source: redrover.com
A World War II-era military structure has fallen onto the beach at Fort Funston, park service officials said. photo: GGNRA
Be Careful Out There: Dog Parks Hit With Storm Debris
It’s no news that California’s recent storms have wreaked havoc throughout the state, including at local dog parks and trails. Still, dog walkers at Fort Funston were surprised to find a huge World War II concrete battery bunker on the beach, after the massive structure slid 200’ down a saturated sand bluff.
As cleanup continues, park staffers are warning folks to follow posted trailhead signs and to be aware of their surroundings. Good advice any time, but especially in the aftermath of apocalypse-level floods, winds, and mudslides. Watch those paws, folks.
Source: sf.funcheap.com, twitter